Aging Well in Waldo County and Waldo County Masonic Lodges Form Partnership to Benefit Older Homeowners
Home maintenance is often an obstacle to being able to “age in place.” Small tasks which were once a simple part of maintaining a home and yard become difficult, dangerous or even unattainable for senior citizens. Things like climbing a ladder to replace light bulbs or batteries in a smoke detector; putting the air conditioner in the window for the summer; cutting up a fallen tree branch after a storm, replacing a board on the front steps – all of these become challenges with aging.
Aging Well in Waldo County has partnered with the District 8 Masonic Lodges in Waldo County called Waldo County Masons’ Elder Outreach to help homeowners meet some of these needs. Homeowners with minor needs can contact AWWC using our phone number at the end of this article. A volunteer will collect relevant information like address and project descriptions and decide if pictures or a site visit are needed. A representative from the District 8 Masonic organization will evaluate the request and determine if it’s doable, and which Lodge member might be dispatched to complete the request.
What sorts of things might this program do for a homeowner? Things that require climbing a ladder (changing light bulbs, cleaning out a gutter, changing smoke detector batteries); minor repairs, like replacing a few stair treads, addressing a stuck window, a door that will not close properly. Perhaps some helpful things are needed now by a homeowner that were not previously important, such as adding a handrail on the steps to the house. Or, outside things that require a chain saw, such as a large limb falling into a yard during a windstorm. Clearing front steps or treating them with sand or salt are a possibility.
This program does not address long term projects, like house painting, major yard cleanups, extensive repairs, roofing. All projects need to be minor and require less than two hours of commitment in most cases. If you’re not sure if your need qualified, you can call and inquire at 207-218-0207.
There is no cost to homeowners. However, donations to AWWC will be accepted and set aside solely to sustain this program. The help does not apply to any home maintenance which requires a skilled tradesperson (like an electrician, for example) or code enforcement.
Major home repairs, such as a roof, heating system, or foundation issues sometimes may be coverable with funds through Waldo Cap (339-6809) for qualified homeowners. Call to inquire and obtain an application.
To request help with a home or property, call 207-218-0207 and select option 2 during regular business hours. Leave a message and your call will be returned. All help is supplied by volunteers and is dependent on the schedules of those volunteers. If you don’t know if your need can be met by this program, you are welcome to call and inquire. If we cannot help, we may be able to recommend a solution.
Aging Well in Waldo County is forming a partnership with the District 8 Masonic Lodges in Waldo County called Waldo County Masons’ Elder Outreach to help homeowners meet some of these needs. Homeowners with minor needs can contact AWWC using our phone number at the end of this article. A volunteer will collect relevant information like address and project descriptions and decide if pictures or a site visit are needed. Dennis Elkins from the District 8 Masonic organization will evaluate the request and determine if it’s doable, and which Lodge member might be dispatched to complete the request.
A Masons Assisting Communities grant awarded by the Grand Lodge of Maine has been donated and set aside to handle small purchases of any parts that may be needed for the homeowner’s project. The homeowner will be contacted by AWWC to set up a mutually convenient time for the task or repair.
There is no cost to homeowners. However, donations to AWWC will be accepted and set aside solely to sustain this program. The help does not apply to any home maintenance which requires a skilled tradesperson (like an electrician, for example) or code enforcement.
To request help with a home or property, call 207-218-0207 and select option 2 during regular business hours. Leave a message and your call will be returned.